100 Words to Use Instead of “Wait”

100 Words to Use Instead of

No. Term Definition
1. Abide Stay in place; remain.
2. Abstain for now Refrain temporarily.
3. Adjourn Pause proceedings until later.
4. Allow time Let time pass briefly.
5. Anticipate Expect while holding off.
6. Await Remain ready for something.
7. Backburner it Deprioritize until later.
8. Be patient Remain calm during delay.
9. Bide Endure while staying put.
10. Bide your time Delay action until opportune.
11. Break Short rest period.
12. Buffer Add a short delay.
13. Buy time Delay to gain advantage.
14. Catch your breath Pause briefly to recover.
15. Cease for now Stop temporarily.
16. Check back later Return for updates later.
17. Circle back Return to it later.
18. Cool down Pause to calm.
19. Cool your heels Wait impatiently; be kept.
20. Count to ten Pause to regain composure.
21. Defer Put off to a later time.
22. Delay Postpone briefly or longer.
23. Detain Hold back; keep from leaving.
24. Do later Postpone to a later time.
25. Drag your feet Delay intentionally.
26. Dwell Linger; remain for a while.
27. Ease up Slow down; pause pressure.
28. Ebb Subside gradually; lessen.
29. Endure Persist through a delay.
30. Entertain yourself Occupy time while delaying.
31. Exercise patience Be patient for a while.
32. Falter Hesitate; pause uncertainly.
33. Fritter away time Waste time idly.
34. Give it a minute Wait briefly.
35. Give way Let others proceed first.
36. Go slow Proceed at reduced speed.
37. Hang back Stay behind; not advance.
38. Hang on Hold; stay for a moment.
39. Hang tight Stay put briefly.
40. Hesitate Pause before acting.
41. Hold Pause; stop temporarily.
42. Hold off Delay action for now.
43. Hold on Pause a moment; stay.
44. Hold position Maintain your place.
45. Hold your horses Slow down; be patient.
46. Idle Remain inactive for a time.
47. In due course At the appropriate time.
48. In the meantime During the interim period.
49. Intermit Stop or pause temporarily.
50. Keep it pending Leave undecided for now.
51. Keep still Remain motionless; stay.
52. Keep waiting Continue to stay ready.
53. Kick the can Delay dealing with it.
54. Kill time Pass time aimlessly.
55. Let it ride Leave as is for now.
56. Lie low Stay quiet and inactive.
57. Linger Stay longer than expected.
58. Loiter Stand around without purpose.
59. Make it later Schedule for a later time.
60. Mark time Pass time without progress.
61. Not yet Indicates a delay.
62. On standby Ready, but not active.
63. On the back burner Set aside temporarily.
64. On the shelf Put aside for later.
65. Park it Set aside temporarily.
66. Pause Stop briefly.
67. Pause a sec Stop briefly.
68. Pending Awaiting decision or action.
69. Persevere Continue despite delay.
70. Postpone Put off until later.
71. Procrastinate Delay unnecessarily.
72. Put a pin in it Pause discussion; revisit later.
73. Put it aside Set aside temporarily.
74. Put off Delay to a later time.
75. Put on hold Temporarily suspend action.
76. Rain check Postpone, but accept later.
77. Refrain Hold back from acting.
78. Remain Stay where you are.
79. Reschedule Move to a later time.
80. Rest Pause to recover.
81. Ride it out Endure until it passes.
82. Run late Be delayed beyond expected time.
83. Sit on it Delay decision.
84. Sit tight Stay where you are.
85. Slow your roll Calm down; slow down.
86. Stall Delay or slow progress.
87. Stand by Be ready to act.
88. Stand down Stop active efforts temporarily.
89. Stay put Do not move.
90. Stay tuned Keep watching for updates.
91. Stick around Remain nearby for a while.
92. Stop awhile Pause for a short time.
93. Suspend Temporarily stop.
94. Table it Postpone discussion.
95. Take a breather Pause to rest briefly.
96. Take a moment Pause briefly.
97. Take a rain check Postpone to another time.
98. Take five Take a short break.
99. Take it easy Slow down; relax briefly.
100. Take your time Proceed without rushing.